Banned driver jailed for getting behind the wheel

A BANNED driver caught behind the wheel in Daubhill — hours after a serious crash took place — has been jailed.

Police spotted Sharmiz Roshan driving in St Helens Road while they were still at the scene of a crash where 11 people were injured, including a 12-year-old boy who suffered serious leg injuries.

Roshan was driving a hired white Porshe 911 convertible at 9.45am on Monday, July 22 last year.

Andrew McIntosh, prosecuting, said the 24-year-old was seen on CCTV driving through Bolton town centre. Police stopped the car while Roshan was a passenger. He was arrested but maintained he was not driving the car.

Roshan, of Bradford Road, Daubhill, was banned from driving at the time of the incident and has previously served a jail term for driving offences.

He was also subject to 27 week custodial sentence suspended for 18 months at the time of the incident after being sentenced just weeks earlier in June last year for affray and driving while disqualified.

Bolton Crown Court heard the affray took place following an incident outside Rumworth Hall in Prescott Street where a group of about 20 men tried to force their way into the building in September, 2012.

Nick Ross, defending, said the Porsche was rented by Roshan’s friend and he “succumbed to temptation”.

Mr Ross added: “He understands the stupidity. He is ashamed and embarrassed. He wishes to give the guarantee to the court that this will not happen again. This is the wake up call.”

Roshan works as a mechanic and has found his religion again, the court heard.